Protein Skimmer or not???

JoseA · May 19, 2015

How important is the protein skimmer and how big you should go.
Can a fish only tank go without it?
Are they any other options that can be used?

Tahoe61 · May 19, 2015

How big of a tank, what types of fish?

redfishbluefish · May 19, 2015

There are some with nanos that have gone without skimmers and rely on water changes. I have a JBJ 28 and have a skimmer in that. I also have a 90 gallon DT with a sump that contains a skimmer. I prefer doing whatever to get the water as clean as I can make it.....and that includes a skimmer. But to each his own. I'm sure you'll hear from those who do not skim. I'd get a skimmer rated for your volume plus some. I think some of the values they use for total volumes are underrated. I have an SWC 160 on my 90 and I'd prefer if it was a bit larger.....it's rated up to 150 gallons.

haleyf1024 · May 19, 2015

I'm a fan of skimmers, just because if you don't use one that organic waste stays in the water. Once you see what they pull out of the water it's disgusting lol.

JoseA · May 19, 2015

Is for a 75g fish only tank

JoseA · May 19, 2015

How about the micro bubbles. ?..

Pete polyp · May 19, 2015

I am not using a skimmer on either of my tanks and I'm also not doing water changes for nutrient export. The live rock I used is more than adequate to keep my tanks completely free of nitrates. If you are planning on using lots of good live rock then you may not need a skimmer. Personally if it was a fish only tank I would use the money on a skimmer rather than live rock and only put minimal rock in the tank for decorative reasons.

footballdude2k3 · May 19, 2015

I have tried the non-skimmer route. Use the skimmer.

footballdude2k3 · May 19, 2015

Even with a skimmer, water is greenish during a change.

JoseA · May 19, 2015

redfishbluefish said:
There are some with nanos that have gone without skimmers and rely on water changes. I have a JBJ 28 and have a skimmer in that. I also have a 90 gallon DT with a sump that contains a skimmer. I prefer doing whatever to get the water as clean as I can make it.....and that includes a skimmer. But to each his own. I'm sure you'll hear from those who do not skim. I'd get a skimmer rated for your volume plus some. I think some of the values they use for total volumes are underrated. I have an SWC 160 on my 90 and I'd prefer if it was a bit larger.....it's rated up to 150 gallons.

Where is the best location of the skimmer. Down in the sump or can it be on top?

JoseA · May 19, 2015

Tahoe61 said:
How big of a tank, what types of fish?

Is for a 75g tank, tangs triggers and puffers

redfishbluefish · May 19, 2015

With a 75 gallon with a tang and triggers.......poop machines......I'd definitely have a skimmer. It really doesn't matter if the skimmer is HOB or in the sump. On my nano, the skimmer is actually in the DT, while with my 90, it's in a sump. Again, location doesn't matter....just having it is what's important.

Downbeach · May 20, 2015

I would suggest using a skimmer, and getting one that you could transition into a larger tank at some point. There are many good options, and if you have the room in your sump, that would be best place from an aesthetic stand point.

cloak · May 20, 2015

As long as you try to remove as much detritus as you can each time you do a water change, I don't think you'll have any problems not using a skimmer. Blast the rocks with a power head, vacuum your sand bed etc. Do whatever you need to do.
FWIW, you might want to see if you can get it done without a skimmer first, as opposed to buying one now and then figuring out later that you didn't need one in the first place. KISS. GL.

Downbeach · May 20, 2015

Exporting organic matter, although very important, isn't the only reason to use a skimmer. I think the aeration it will provide, especially in this system with larger fish in a relatively small tank, is of equal value. I would suggest you read the entire article, but here are the two sections regarding both:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/rhf/index.php#1
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/rhf/index.php#16

saltyphish · May 20, 2015

I will always use a skimmer in my tank. Once you run one you will see all the gunk in the water you didn't see. Better water quality equals better health for the fish. Plus the extra aeration in the water helps imo.

JoseA · May 20, 2015

Is the skimmer adding additional oxygen to the tank?

Tahoe61 · May 20, 2015

JoseA said:
Is the skimmer adding additional oxygen to the tank?

Yes

mrjlopez731 · May 21, 2015

footballdude2k3 said:
Even with a skimmer, water is greenish during a change.

That doesn't happen to my water changes, with my skimmer. Believe me when I do water changes I have both the new water and the one taken out side by side and there no change in mine.